Remarkable discovery in the cleanest rooms on Earth: 26 bacterial species never seen before

Scientists have discovered 26 previously unknown bacterial species in NASA's cleanrooms, some of the most sterile environments on Earth. These extremophiles thrive in conditions designed to eliminate most life forms, posing potential risks for space missions.

The study, published in Microbiome, highlights how these bacteria possess genes enabling resistance to radiation and disinfectants. Researchers emphasize the importance of preventing these microbes from contaminating space probes.